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SEC Football: Game Balls, Top Performers from Week Five

By Justin Melton

Oct 1, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Eugene Brazley (23) runs the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against the Memphis Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 48-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Mississippi Rebels running back Eugene Brazley (23) runs the ball during the fourth quarter of the game against the Memphis Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mississippi won 48-28. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) breaks a tackle by Missouri Tigers linebacker Michael Scherer (30) during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Missouri 42-7. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers running back Derrius Guice (5) breaks a tackle by Missouri Tigers linebacker Michael Scherer (30) during the second half of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Missouri 42-7. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Offense: Derrius Guice

In the absence of Leonard Fournette, Guice went off. He racked up a career-best 163 yards and three touchdowns on just 17 carries. That’s an average of 9.6 yards per carry. Those are incredible numbers. In addition, Guice caught a pass out of the backfield and turned it into a 21 yard gain.

Guice would start for pretty much every SEC team besides LSU and Georgia. After Fournette leaves for the NFL after this season, Guice will be the man in LSU’s backfield. That’s a scary thought for defensive coordinators around the conference. While not as big as Fournette, Guice is more explosive and a better receiver. He is going to be a star in the world of SEC Football.

Honorable Mentions:

Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) drops back to pass against the Kentucky Wildcats at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) drops back to pass against the Kentucky Wildcats at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

Eugene Brazley, RB, Ole Miss

Speaking of under-appreciated running backs, Ole Miss has one on their roster as well. Junior Eugene Brazley has been buried on the depth chart for three seasons. But he showed this week that he has the right stuff. He carried the ball 13 times for 124 yards and two touchdowns against Memphis. That’s an average of 9.5 yards per carry.

Brazley had a great game against Memphis. Ole Miss has struggled at the running back position for a few years now. So why hasn’t Brazley gotten more playing time? Only Hugh Freeze can say for sure. Brazley is small, at just 5’9″ tall, but he is a fast, agile, runner. Expect to see more of him moving forward.

Jalen Hurts, QB, Alabama

Jalen Hurts continued his stellar true freshman campaign against the Kentucky Wildcats. He completed 20 of his 33 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns. He also added 25 yards on the ground.

Hurts has played at a high level this season for the Tide. Still, he does have things he can work on. His deep ball accuracy still leaves a lot to be desired. Also, he needs to work on going through his progressions faster and seeing who will be open before they actually are. If he can improve on these things, he could be the first true freshman quarterback to win a national championship.

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